Newsletters

Newsletter 31 – Friday, 15th May 2026

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Headteacher Message

Hello all,

I hope you are all well. It was so lovely to see so many of you at the Richmond May Fair. I really cannot speak highly enough of the parents association and their organisation and commitment to the event. Our stall was incredibly busy throughout the day. At one point I looked around and there were several children taking part in an art activity, a group of adults and children gathered around our resident snake expert and accompanying snake, a family spinning the wheel and happy customers purchasing their Darell mess. (Highly commended by both my daughters) I would also like to congratulate the school choir who, as they always do, sang with confidence and energy and represent the school admirably

There really was an excellent atmosphere in and around our area of the fair and I would really like to thank everyone involved.

We have just completed the Year 6 SAT’s week, and I am immensely proud of all of our children who took part. From the moment they attended the daily breakfast service laid on for them at 8am to the end of the tests, they remained positive and committed. They enjoyed the 8am breakfast meet so much that they requested a further special breakfast (Friday) as a reward even though their tests had finished. They are superstars, each and every one of them.

We have one more week until half term and it would be great to have all the children in every day of next week. I know it is tempting to nick a Friday and get off to beat the rush but every day of schooling is vital and we want your precious children in every day.  

 

Joe Porter

PSA - Thank You 

Dear Darell Community,

Just to say thank you to everyone who donated fruit, meringues and whipped cream, pre-loved books and spin the wheel prizes for our Richmond May Fair stall last Saturday. It was a gorgeous, sunny day out on Richmond green and we raised £1640! The profits will go towards resources and extra-curricular activities for the school. 

We were visited by lots of Darell families, past pupils, governors, teachers, and fair goers. It was lovely to see everyone chatting and hanging out together at the stall.

A big thanks to all the PSA organisers, staff - Mrs Claridge and Mr Porter, parent and carer volunteers and Darell pupil volunteers for their hard work serving up our Darell Mess fruit cups, running activities, decorating the stall and championing our school in the wider Richmond community. A special thanks to Glenda, (Year 2), for bringing the stall to life with all her equipment and ideas, Lucia (Year 3) and Katy (Year 3 and 6) for being our super communications experts, Felisa (Year 6) for setting-up our pre-loved book corner, Steve and Janine (Reception) for heading up the fruit team, Nolo (Year 4) for running the painting activities and incorporating the finance club, Meghan (Year 1 and Year 3), Virag (Year 3), Maria (Year 3 and Year 5), Karrie (Year 3), Lola (Reception and Year 2), Lauren (Reception) and Elaine (Year 5) for all their ideas in our meetings and work on the ground—and all the partners, friends and kids of PSA members who helped with transport, gazebo hoisting, Darell Mess sales and lots more! Thanks to Laura and Kelly for all their support with running our PSA events. And a final thanks to Felisa, Callum, Chubbs the snake and Enzo the dog for making our Darell stall even more wild and wonderful!

The PSA is a small, informal group of parents who are keen to make Darell a better place for our children and the community. If you're interested in getting involved, please reach out to one of us or speak to Kelly in reception. Our next big event will be the school summer picnic on Tuesday July 7th, and we would love to have you join in the planning fun!

Warm wishes,

Darell PSA

Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/darellprimaryschoolpsa/

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Diary Dates

Walton Firs Residential- Y6
8:00am – 4:30pm
from 19 May until 22 May
19
May
Choir performing at the Rose Theatre
12:00pm – 4:30pm
19
May
Y4 Tennis - Pensford Fields
1:45pm – 2:45pm
from 21 Apr and on Tuesday each week until 19 May
19
May
Y5 & 6 Catch up Swimming
1:15pm – 3:00pm
from 14 Apr and on Wednesday each week until 15 Jul
20
May
May Half Term
8:00am – 3:00pm
from 25 May until 29 May
25
May
Y5 & 6 Catch up Swimming
1:15pm – 3:00pm
from 14 Apr and on Wednesday each week until 15 Jul
27
May
Inset Day - Pupils do not attend
12:00pm – 4:30pm
01
June
Borough Sports
9:00am – 4:00pm
03
June
Y5 & 6 Catch up Swimming
1:15pm – 3:00pm
from 14 Apr and on Wednesday each week until 15 Jul
03
June
Y6 Orange Tree Theatre Workshop
9:00am – 11:30am
05
June

The Reading Corner

Welcome to our weekly section of the newsletter all about reading. Every week, we will share a question (or two) with you about the book your child is reading in school. Please use these questions to help you find out a little more about what your child has been reading in school and continue to develop their love of reading.

Reception - What does Stanley pretend his straight stick is? And what does he pretend his wonky stick is? What would you pretend a stick is?

Year 1 – In The Tiny Seed, where did the tiny seed fly over? (icy mountains, the ocean, the desert). Why do you think the seed didn’t grow in these places? Can any plants grow in the ocean? Can any plants grow in the desert?

Year 2 - Why do poets use poetic phrases?

Year 3 - What do you predict Oliver will do next? What makes you think this?

Year 4 -  In her time, Enid Blyton was enjoyed by millions of children. Does ‘The Island of Adventure’ story appeal to you? Why or why not.

Year 5 -  ‘Journey to Jo’burg’ -  Would you recommend this book to someone? Why/why not?

Year 6 - Which book would you recommend to a friend to take on school journey to read for pleasure?

SRP 2 - How do the other animals in the forest first react to Leaf and why do you think this is? 

Attendance

Overall, school attendance this week was 94%. Our target is 97%.

Well done to Year 3 for the highest attendance of 97% this week. 

Let's do our best for next week!

 

 

EYFS Star of the Week

Reception

Behati - for showing great enjoyment in your busy learning this week and for your fantastic focus in phonics.

KS1 Star of the Week

Year 1

Zian –  for your fantastic focus during phonics, explaining your thinking in maths and writing a brilliant animal riddle. Well done, Zian!  

Year 2 

Axel - for creating a moving poem detailing the plight of an adrift polar bear in English this week with poetic phrases informed by inferences. Well done!

 SRP 1

Callie - for always producing fantastic artwork and proudly putting them on the wall for everyone to see. Well done, Callie!

KS2 Star of the Week

SRP 2

Rasim - for his positive attitude and for trying his very best in his maths tests. Well done Rasim!         

Year 3

Maya - for being ambitious in your English work this week! You had the confidence to work independently and were aspirational for yourself and your learning! Well done, Maya!  

Year 4

Daisy - for being a friendly, respectful and welcoming ambassador of Darwin class to our new joiners and of the school at music and tennis.

Year 5

Jesse - for his excellent contributions in class, particularly in maths but also his thought-provoking questions in R.E.

Year 6

Guy - for being a kind and supportive friend during SATs week.

What's going on in the community?

 

 

Useful Links

     darell.school

 

darell.richmond.sch.uk

 

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

 

 

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station